TROJANS END SKID, SWEEP SUN DEVILS SHACKLEFORD'S PEP TALK HELPS USC 82, ARIZ. ST. 71.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

If USC played Arizona State every week, maybe the Trojans' season wouldn't be such a disaster. Or maybe if point guard Dwayne Shackleford wasn't hurt for a large part of the year, the Trojans wouldn't be in last place.

Whether the difference was Arizona State or Shackleford, USC didn't care, because the Trojans finally snapped a losing streak at five games with an 82-71 victory over the Sun Devils in front of 4,517 at the Sports Arena.

The Trojans (10-14, 3-10) swept the season series from Arizona State, the only team they've beaten twice, and a key was Shackleford, who scored 10 points, his best effort since the season-opener. Shackleford has played in just 11 games because of injuries.

USC interim coach Jim Saia singled out Shackleford for his leadership, something sorely lacking among the Trojans this season.

``He's vocal and communicates with me,'' Saia said. ``He's grateful for every minute he gets. What we got tonight was leadership from Dwayne Shackleford.''

Shackleford said he spoke to the team before the game and emphasized that everyone have fun for a change.

``It's been a long year,'' he said. ``I told them, `Let's have some fun.' I told the guys we needed a win real bad.''

Shackleford was a scoring point guard in junior college, but is just now showing his offensive prowess after a long layoff in January.

``That's hard for me to believe,'' Shackleford said about reaching double figures for the first time since scoring 12 against UC Irvine on Nov. 22. ``I'm not saying I'm all-world or anything, but I know I can score a lot of points.''

The other key was USC's stifling defense on Arizona State forward Ike Diogu, the Pacific-10 Conference's leading scorer (22.5 points) and rebounder (10.0). He finished with a quiet 12 points and six rebounds.

Diogu scored just 15 points last month when the teams played in Tempe, Ariz., and Saia again double-teamed Diogu with forwards Jeff McMillan and Rory O'Neil.

``Defensively, I believe it was my best game of the year,'' McMillan said. ``We still believe it's not too late to make a run. This gives us momentum going to the Bay Area.''

For Diogu, it's not the type of display you want when Memphis Grizzlies president of basketball operations Jerry West watched the game, as he did Saturday night.

Although USC led the entire second half, there was a nervous moment when the Sun Devils (16-9, 5-8) cut the lead to 68-64 with 3:23 left. But sophomore guard Lodrick Stewart hit a 3-pointer and freshman guard Gabe Pruitt made an off-balance 3-pointer to give the Trojans a 74-66 advantage with 1:25 left.

``People probably thought, `Are we going to win it?' '' Saia said. ``I tried to stay positive. They're young kids and I want to wring their necks sometimes. They're young and happy and can go (downhill) just like that. Hopefully, they'll start maturing in the next five games.''

With the victory, USC is two games out of eighth place, the cutoff for making the Pac-10 Tournament.

``I have dreams of making the Pac-10 Tournament,'' said freshman guard Nick Young, who scored a game-high 18 points. ``I still have faith.''

--Notes: USC guard Errick Craven did not play because of bone bruise in his ankle, a problem that's bothered him for several weeks. Forward Nick Curtis did not play for the second time in three games because Saia said he was pleased with his other post players.

USC is 8-1 when the Trojans make at least nine 3-point shots. Pruitt had a career-high eight rebounds along with 15 points.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

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USC's Jeff McMillan dunks in the first half of the Trojans' win Saturday that completes a season sweep of the Sun Devils.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News